The mother of a nine-year-old boy killed by a car driven by an uninsured illegal immigrant said today she was "devastated, shocked and confused" by news that the man's jail term is to be cut.

Lynn Oakford said she felt Algerian Kamel Kadri was "laughing at her from his prison cell" following news that his two-year sentence is to be cut by at least two months.

Kadri, 38, hit Callum "CJ" Oakford while overtaking another car on the A259 at Ferring in West Sussex on New Year's Day.

He fled the scene in his damaged Renault 5, which had no insurance, tax or MoT.

Kadri later admitted motoring offences, including failing to stop at the scene of an accident and driving without insurance, and another charge of using a false passport.

He was jailed by Judge Anthony Thorpe at Chichester Crown Court for 24 months, only eight of which were for the driving charges.

The Crown Prosecution Service said last night that he is to have his sentence reduced because Judge Thorpe exceeded his sentencing powers on the motoring offences by two months.

Today Callum's mother, of Goring, West Sussex, said news of the reduction had left the family even deeper in shock. She said: "This has made our heartache even greater. We are all devastated and confused. We are totally shocked by this news. It is unbelievable.

"I really feel he is laughing at us from his prison cell. I am very angry that we had to hear about this reduction from the press, and not from the CPS.

"The judge did his best. He is limited in what he can do. It has again exposed a major problem in the legal system in this country."

Mrs Oakford said she is seeking a meeting with Tony Blair to discuss the family's campaign to introduce a mandatory charge of manslaughter in similar hit-and-run cases.

Mrs Oakford said she felt contempt for Kadri, who entered the country illegally in 2001 and had his application for asylum rejected in September 2002, but said his status was irrelevant. She said: "It could have been anybody. It's the fact that he can get into a lethal weapon with no tax, insurance or MoT and get away with it."

Earlier today, Callum's sister Kathryn told GMTV: "I would like to see him tried by a jury for manslaughter, to justify his actions before a jury. It should not be left to one person."

Last night, a CPS spokesman said: "Having considered the sentence imposed and the judge's sentencing remarks, it appears that the judge exceeded his powers in sentencing in relation to the offences of failing to report an accident and failing to stop after an accident."

Kadri's case has been provisionally relisted at Chichester Crown Court for Thursday.